Day 1

• Pacific Coast Scenic Byway - Oregon

• 9:00 - 3.4 miles / 6 minutes - 9:06

  Astoria

  Astoria is located on the Columbia River, and because of this prime location, it was the site of one of the earliest towns in Oregon. It was founded in April 1811, only six years after the
  Lewis and Clark expedition. This expedition opened up the fur trade in the area, and Astoria was settled because of the importance of this trade. Throughout the years, Astoria has remained an important commercial center. The city today is known for its charming Victorian architecture, steep streets, and views of the Columbia River. A number of historic sites are located within the city,
  including Fort Astoria Park, Heritage Museum, Flavel House, Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria Column, the Old Firefighter Museum, and the impressive Astoria-Megler Bridge.

• 10:06 - 63.7 miles / 2 hours 7 minutes - 12:14

  Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge

  Nestucca Bay Refuge was established in 1991 to provide wintering habitat for dusky and Aleutian Canada geese. The Nestucca Bay area supports approximately 10 percent of the world population of dusky Canada geese, and 100 percent of a very unique subpopulation of Aleutian Canada geese. It is also an important rest stop for migrating shorebirds and other waterfowl and is used by peregrine falcons and the bald eagle.

• 12:14 - 6.8 miles / 13 minutes - 12:27

  Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuges

  With its remarkable vistas and superb recreational
  opportunities, the Oregon coast attracts millions of visitors each
  year. However, few are aware of the National Wildlife Refuges that
  span 320 miles of the rugged coastline. The Oregon Coast National
  Wildlife Refuge Complex comprises six National Wildlife Refuges
  protecting a variety of coastal habitats.
  Stretching from Tillamook Head south to the California border,
  three of the refuges are marine and three are estuarine. The marine
  refuges (Oregon Islands, Cape Meares, Three Arch Rocks) protect
  coastal rocks, reefs, islands and several headland areas. These
  habitats support some of the most important seabird nesting
  colonies in the United States. Over a million seabirds, including
  common murres, tufted puffins, cormorants, and storm-petrels nest
  here. Coastal rocks provide breeding and haul-out sites for harbor
  seals and Steller and California sea lions.
  The three estuarine refuges (Siletz Bay, Nestucca Bay, Bandon
  Marsh) preserve a very different, but equally valuable, habitat.
  These habitats include saltmarsh, brackish marsh, riparian wetlands
  and wooded uplands. They offer sanctuary to a diverse array of fish
  and wildlife, including waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, small
  mammals, amphibians, and anadromous fish.

• 12:27 - 17.3 miles / 34 minutes - 13:02

  Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge

  Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge consists of some of the most scenic estuarine habitat along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. On either side of Highway 101, starched skeleton trees jut forth from the estuary and are reminiscent of a time when the salt marsh was diked to provide pasture for dairy cows. Red-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles, and other raptors can often be seen roosting at the top of these snags, and a variety of estuarine-dependent birds including Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, and many species of waterfowl can be seen foraging in the tidally influenced waters.

• 13:02 - 66.5 miles / 2 hours 13 minutes - 15:15

  Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge

  Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge includes 1,853 rocks, reefs, and islands. These and two headland areas span 320 miles of the Oregon coast. Thirteen species of seabirds nest on this refuge, including Common Murres, Tufted Puffins, Leach's and Fork-tailed Storm-petrels, Rhinoceros Auklets, Brandt's, Pelagic and Double-crested Cormorants, and Pigeon Guillemots. Harbor seals, California sea lions, Steller sea lions and northern elephant seals use refuge lands for breeding and haulout areas.

• 15:15 - 12.8 miles / 25 minutes - 15:40

  Sea Lion Caves

  The Sea Lion Caves are the world's largest sea caves and the only remaining mainland home of wild Stellar sea lions. Visitor access carved into the rock provides a non-intrusive and intimate view of hundreds of animals. There are also viewpoints above the caves from which you can see Heceta Head Lighthouse, gray whales, and sea birds.

• 16:40 - 11.9 miles / 23 minutes - 17:04

  Siuslaw Pioneer Museum

  The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum displays relics and historical
  information featuring the Siuslaw River and its pioneers. Home
  life, farming, fishing, lumbering and transportation are shown in
  displays and pictures. Formerly a Lutheran Church, the museum is
  open every day except Monday. The Florence duplicate bridge club
  meets here every Wednesday at 7 pm.

• 17:34 - 98.9 miles / 3 hours 17 minutes - 9:52

  Port Orford Heads State Park

  Port Orford Heads State Park offers visitors a chance to view the Pacific Coast by enjoying the hiking trails along the headlands. There is a variety of wildlife in the area, and visitors
  can go fishing or watch the marine and land mammals that live in the area. The Port Orford Lifeboat Station was constructed in 1934 by the Coast Guard to provide lifesaving service to the southern
  Oregon Coast. The station is now a museum, that has a variety of exhibits, including a Lyle Gun and a "Coastie" bedroom. The history of Port Orford and the navy years of the station are also
  documented. The station, officer-in-charge residence, and a boathouse all remain at the site.

• 10:07 - 61.9 miles / 2 hours 3 minutes - 12:11

  Pacific Coast Scenic Byway - Oregon - end